By Mark Keane

Ranelagh has a bit of everything going for it these days. From gastropubs to fine dining all the way to sushi, there is something for everybody no matter what day of the week you visit.

An Bhialann

Everybody loves a bit of surf and turf, it’s a pretty harmonious combination, especially when you’re hungry. For those feeling peckish thinking about it, An Bhialann, a family run steak and seafood restaurant based right in the heart of Ranelagh can satisfy that hunger of yours. Their menu ticks all the boxes with a dill and seafood chowder, mussels and garlic bread, scallops with black pudding and lardons, beer battered fish and chips, and of course some beautiful steaks. If your other half has an equally big appetite, then An Bhialann’s Gourmet Surf & Turf for two is the way to go. Remember, fish is good for you, so eat as much as you can!

La Reserve

La Reserve is Ranelagh’s own French brasserie. Chef and proprietor Jerome Fernandes is serving classic French dishes with influences from other international cuisines. Like all good brasserie’s you are spoilt for choice with food and wine options. It would be easy to stick to ordering classic and tasty dishes of coq au vin or steak frites every time you visit, but you will end up falling in love with La Reserve’s wild mushroom and artichoke risotto, rosemary and garlic loin of lamb, or duck with orange sauce when you decide to try something new. Classic French cuisine with a bottle of red wine in a friendly relaxed brasserie, what more could you ask for.

Antica Venezia

Tucked away in Ranelagh is a little taste of Italy. Antica Venezia, set up in 1988, is still run today by it’s founders. Italian food will never go out of fashion, the cuisine is just too delicious and enjoyable to eat. Antica Venezia serves exactly what people want from Italian food, starters of bruschetta, antipasto, calamari, main courses of prawn linguini, fresh ravioli, and of course pizza. Finish your meal off in style with a double espresso and a slice of tiramisu. With Antica Venezia also offering an excellent early bird option, you are missing out by not making this your regular Italian restaurant.

The Butcher Grill

The Butcher Grill’s modus operandi is to get the finest cuts of Irish meat and to cook them perfectly on their wood-smoked grill. As you would expect, they specialise in meat, but the restaurants pièce de resistance is their côte de boeuf with onion rings and smoked beans for 60 euro’s. It’s for two people of course! If that big slab of beef is too much for you, there are other classic meat options like BBQ baby back ribs, milk fed veal striploin and some indulgently rich bone marrow mashed potato. The Butcher Grill also does an amazing brunch menu from 12 to 3:30 on the weekends, perfect if you fancy something more than a typical brunch of eggs benedict. Eat some oysters, beer battered fish with tartare sauce, or even the perfect duo of steak and eggs and finish your meal with their Bailey’s crème brûlée and a glass of wine or a cocktail. Delicious!

Kinara Kitchen

The award winning restaurant Kinara Kitchen serves traditional Pakistani food in Ranelagh Village. Those who may be unfamiliar with the cuisine should not worry as the staff at Kinara Kitchen will provide a quick lesson on this style of cooking and provide recommendations if needed. You will soon be returning and ordering beef jalfrezi, gosht rogan with mushroom baji and finishing it all off with a mango lassi. The kitchen even has a tandoori oven to ensure it’s customers get an authentic taste of Pakistan. Kinara offers an early bird menu from Monday to Thursday 5-8pm for €21.95 as well as a Sunday lunch menu from 12-4pm giving you the choice of 2 courses and a glass of wine for €21.95. For those who like to finish a night out with a cocktail, there is even a vintage themed cocktail bar with a roof terrace upstairs!

If you needed further reasons to visit Ranelagh, it’s also home to one of Dublin’s finest Japanese restaurants, Michie Sushi. It can be tricky to find since it’s pretty much down an alleyway and behind a series of houses, but it’s definitely worth locating. Once you try their tuna ura maki you will be scheduling in your next visit there with friends.

For another taste of Asia, Mak serves authentic Chinese cuisine. Their early bird menu is great for those who fancy potstickers and beef in black bean sauce. Or order a few dishes off their main menu, like duck pancakes, char sui ribs, pork belly skewers, dimsum, or king prawns in a coconut, lemongrass and curry sauce.

Fancy celebrating a birthday or anniversary in style, or just want a taste of fine dining, then Brioche is a must visit. With a 5 and 7 course tasting menu available, you will be left stunned eating dishes like foie gras creme caramel with pickled celery and mushroom ice cream. Superb cooking in a beautiful and cosy restaurant.

Ranelagh has all your drink needs covered too. Going to a restaurant that has a BYOB policy? Then pay a visit to Redmond’s Off Licence, situated close to the Luas stop. They have a daunting amount of amazing wine, champagne and craft beer, with very knowledgeable staff to help pick your poison. While McSorley’s on the other end of Ranelagh is the ideal location for a late night drink. For those who may want something weaker, Nick’s Coffee opposite Redmond’s serve a fine cup of java!

Without a doubt, Ranelagh’s food and drink scene continues to improve and impress.